///ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 0201 – hb.flyfishing – MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER –
Capt. Vaughn Podmore of Huntington Beach is featured in the first full-feature documentary film on saltwater flyfishing in Orange County. The film will debut on Feb. 9 at the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the The District Tustin Legacy.
by Mike Buss, Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers
This month let’s talk about why you would want to fly fish. Probably the first reason would be that it is a lot of fun to trick a fish into taking a fly that looks like something good to eat. Locating a fish and then making a good cast to put your fly into a position that looks vulnerable and results in a solid strike is very satisfying.
The following fight on a light fly rod and light tippet will test your skill and result in a broad smile when your fish is landed or a frown if it manages to escape before being landed. This all depends on selecting tackle to match the size of the fish you are trying to catch.
Fly fishing is fun because you have a wide range of tackle choices. You can opt to use very light outfits to go after panfish or small trout or select a heavy 15 weight balanced outfit to target very large fish like large sharks or sailfish or marlin or any weight in between. Flies can be selected to match your choices as well as tippet strengths.
Another point in favor of fly fishing is that the longer you fly fish, the greater the probability that you will begin to tie your own flies. This is another great benefit of fly fishing as there is really a lot of satisfaction in taking a fish on a fly that you created at your fly tying bench. Fly tying is also a great way to pass those long winter periods when fishing is slow or non-existent. It’s also a lot of fun experimenting and creating your own special new fly patterns.
Recent advances in fly lines allow fly fishers to fish the surface all the way down to 30 to 40 feet deep. It takes some special techniques to get your line that deep, but it can be done.
The first thing to do is to use your depth finder to find the fish and how deep they show on the finder. Then all you need to do is select a heavy line and determine which direction you will float and then make a long cast in that direction. As you float down to your line, it will be sinking until it reaches the depth where you saw the fish on the depth finder or you pass it under your boat. Then as you float away, you can begin your retrieve. Most of the time, you will get the strike as the fly begins the retrieve and starts to rise.
Another one of the benefits of fly fishing are the areas you will be fishing. Trout fishermen and women will be fishing on some of the most beautiful waters in the country. Rivers that meander through mountains are some of the most beautiful waters you will ever fish.
Saltwater anglers are not short changed as fishing saltwater flats will put you into beautiful waters as well. Even fishing a farm pond for panfish has its attractions.
The bottom line is that fly fishing is a lot of fun with a large variety of fish to choose from, plus you get to fish in some neat places.